A biotype of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum G. ♯ LOLRI) has become resistant to amitrole and atrazine after 10 yr of exposure to a mixture of these herbicides. Resistance has also been demonstrated to the chloro-s-triazines: simazine, cyanazine, propazine; the methylthios-triazines: ametryn, prometryn; the substituted ureas: chlortoluron, isoproturon, metoxuron, diuron, fluometuron, methazole; and the triazinone herbicide metribuzin. The biotype remains susceptible to chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, sulfometuron, sethoxydim, diclofop, fluazifop, glyphosate, carbetamide, and oxyfluorfen. Inhibition of oxygen evolution by atrazine, diuron, and metribuzin was similar in thylakoids isolated from both resistant and susceptible biotypes. Therefore, resistance to the photosystem II inhibitors is not caused by an alteration of the target site of these herbicides. Resistant plants treated with a 3-h pulse of 0.12 mM chlortoluron recover photosynthetic activity more rapidly than susceptible plants. This suggests that the basis for resistance is enhanced metabolism or sequestration of the herbicide within the leaf.

The adsorption of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) was studied for several Canadian prairie soils and for various other adsorbents. The kd values for the soils ranged from 0.09 to 0.75 and were correlated only with soil organic matter. The kd values for other adsorbents varied from 0 to 232, the order of adsorption being activated charcoal > anion exchange resin > peat moss > cellulose triacetate. There was no adsorption of picloram on montmorillonite and kaolinite clays, cation exchange resin, wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), or cellulose powder. The differences in the adsorption of picloram were explained on the basis of the relative affinities of the various adsorptive surfaces for the molecular or the ionized forms of the acid.

Four species of biocontrol insects (knapweed root weevil, lesser knapweed flower weevil, spotted knapweed seedhead moth, and bronze knapweed root borer) were released at a diffuse knapweed site located about 10 km east of the Colorado Front Range. Two other biocontrol agents (banded gall fly and knapweed seed head fly) were already present at this site. Densities of rosettes and flowering plants, seedhead production per plant, and seeds per seedhead on mowed and unmowed areas were studied for 5 yr, 1997–2001. Of the six biocontrols, five (Urophora spp., bronze knapweed root borer, knapweed root weevil, and lesser knapweed flower weevil) obtained sizable densities relative to weed abundance. Diffuse knapweed declined from 8.3% in absolute cover in June 2000 to 1.9% by September 2001. Vegetation transects closest to the insect release areas showed the largest declines, with diffuse knapweed disappearing entirely on one transect. In contrast, diffuse knapweed abundance at a nearby prairie increased during the same interval from an absolute cover value of 14.5 to 17%. Seed production of diffuse knapweed on the insect release site declined from nearly 5,000 seeds m−2 in 1997 to less than 100 seeds m−2 in 2001. Lesser knapweed flower weevil larvae appeared responsible for much of the seed reduction, whereas adults of this species were effective in damaging bolting plants. The extent to which grazing removal and individual insect species contributed to this reduction in diffuse knapweed abundance cannot be identified from this study. These results support the contention that a significant reduction in abundance of diffuse knapweed using insects is possible at least in some regions of the western United States.

Soil thin-layer chromatography and a soil solution technique were used to evaluate chlorimuron adsorption and mobility in five Alabama soils. The order of adsorption was atrazine > metribuzin > chlorimuron; mobility was chlorimuron > metribuzin > atrazine. The order of adsorption of chlorimuron in the five soils was Sumter clay > Eutaw clay > Lucedale fine sandy loam > Decatur silt loam > Dothan sandy loam, and Rf values were 0.63, 0.73, 0.69, 0.76, and 0.80, respectively. Chlorimuron mobility and adsorption were not highly correlated to any one soil type. Adsorption of all herbicides was inversely related to soil pH. Maximum chlorimuron adsorption in the Hiwassee loam was attributed to the high hematite and gibbsite content of the soil.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the effect of several environmental factors on seed germination of feather fingergrass, one of the most significant emerging weeds in warm regions of the world. Seed germination occurred over a broad range of temperatures (17/7, 25/10, and 30/20 C), but germination being highest at alternating temperatures of 30/20 C under both 12 h light/12 h dark and 24 h dark conditions. Although seed germination was favored by light, some seeds were capable of germinating in the dark. Increasing salt stress decreased seed germination until complete inhibition was reached at 250-mM sodium chloride. Germination decreased from 64 to 0.7% as osmotic potential decreased from 0 to −0.4 MPa, and was completely inhibited at −0.6 MPa. Higher seed germination (> 73%) was observed in the range of pH 6.4 to 8 than the other tested pH levels. Heat shock had a significant effect on seed germination. Germination of seeds placed at 130 C for 5 min was completely inhibited for both dry and presoaked seeds. The results of this study will help to develop protocols for managing feather fingergrass, and to thus avoid its establishment as a troublesome weed in economically important cropping regions.

Field studies were conducted in Knoxville, TN, over a 2-yr period (2007 and 2008) to determine the field dissipation rate and efficacy of pyroxasulfone, acetochlor, dimethenamid, and s-metolachlor to broadleaf signalgrass. Depending on rainfall patterns, pyroxasulfone at 209 g ai ha−1 provided broadleaf signalgrass control of > 75%, which was equal to or superior to acetochlor at 1,740 g ai ha−1, dimethenamid at 1,500 g ai ha−1 and s-metolachlor at 1,420 g ai ha−1. Pyroxasulfone provided residual control into the growing season and provides a tool for resistance management of later-emerging weeds. Herbicide dissipation was rapid in all soils (half-life usually < 20 d), although it was slower in a dry year. The order of herbicide dissipation and half-life in days in the 2 yr was acetochlor (3.5, 5 d) > dimethenamid (5, 9 d) > s-metolachlor (8.8, 27 d) > pyroxasulfone (8.2, > 71 d). There was poor correlation between observed weed control at 45 d after treatment and chemically determined herbicide concentrations at that same time, with ∼ 40% difference in 2007 and ∼ 50% difference in 2008.

Broomrapes (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.) are obligate root parasites that spend most of their life cycle in the soil subsurface, making them hard to detect. In these underground developmental stages, broomrapes are highly sensitive to herbicides, and therefore knowledge of the dynamics of their parasitism is essential to precisely apply herbicide for their control. To address these complexities, two approaches have been proposed: (1) estimating the temporal variation in parasitism dynamics and predicting broomrape parasitism on its host by thermal time; (2) characterizing the spatial variation in infestation within and between fields by using a geographical information system and a global positioning system. In addition, the use of molecular markers to identify broomrape infestation (species and amount) in the field can contribute to determining its spatial distribution, which can then be used for site-specific weed management. In this paper, we discuss how technology can be optimized for control of the root-parasitic broomrapes. Special attention is given to the development of integrative approaches. An example of a decision support system for the rational management of Egyptian broomrape in processing tomato is given.

Kochia pollen dispersion was measured during 24 and 48 h periods from a kochia population in an 8- by 10-m area in the center of a 1.6 ha fallow field. Pollen counts from traps at 50- and 100-cm heights declined rapidly with increasing distance from the pollen source. Pollen deposition was highest along the prevailing wind direction: up to 23 pollen grains cm–2 were recovered 50 m from the pollen source along the southeast (SE) vector. Nonlinear regression analysis of pollen deposition along the SE vector was used to estimate that 99.9% of shed pollen would be deposited within 154.4 m of the source. Viability of pollen from greenhouse- and field-grown plants was measured using staining and germination assays. of four pollen stains tested, only 1,2,3-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride gave consistent results and did not stain heat-killed pollen. Depending on environmental conditions, kochia pollen remained viable from less than 1 d to 12 d. Length of kochia pollen viability was shortest under high temperatures (22 and 28 C) and low relative humidity (7 and 32%). Less than 0.5% germination was observed in 1.1% agar media with various additions; however, up to 17.8% germination was observed after incubation at 28 C in 100% relative humidity.

Soybean is a major crop cultivated in Brazil, and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides are widely used to control weeds in this crop. The continuous use of these ALS-inhibiting herbicides has led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds worldwide. Greater beggarticks is a polyploid species and one of the most troublesome weeds in soybean production since the discovery of ALS-resistant biotypes in 1996. To confirm and characterize the resistance of greater beggarticks to ALS inhibitors, whole-plant bioassays and enzyme experiments were conducted. To investigate the molecular basis of resistance in greater beggarticks the ALS gene was sequenced and compared between susceptible and resistant biotypes. Our results confirmed that greater beggarticks is resistant to ALS inhibitors and also indicated it possesses at least three isoforms of the ALS gene. Analysis of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences among the isoforms and between the biotypes indicated that a single point mutation, G–T, in one ALS isoform from the resistant biotype resulted in an amino acid substitution, Trp574Leu. Two additional substitutions were observed, Phe116Leu and Phe149Ser, in a second isoform of the resistant biotype, which were not yet reported in any other herbicide-resistant ALS gene; thus, their role in conferring herbicide resistance is not yet ascertained. This is the first report of ALS mutations in an important, herbicide-resistant weed species from Brazil.

The adsorption-desorption equilibria of fluometuron [1,1-dimethyl-3-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)urea] were studied; a slurry technique with soil at 0-bar moisture tension was used. The equilibria established with Bosket very fine sandy loam (VFSL) were evaluated by three equations. The equation best describing the adsorption isotherm was x/m = K1Ce + K2Ce2. Successive equilibrations resulted in a shift in the equilibria toward the adsorbed state, most likeiy due to a physical change in the adsorption capacity of the soil with repeated agitation. Desorption studies with seven additional soils indicated the importance of soil organic matter content in the adsorption-desorption equilibria of fluometuron. The relationship between soil organic matter contents and the adsorption-desorption equilibrium constants was characterized by a highly significant linear correlation (r = 0.93) and the resulting regression equation: K1 = 0.46 + 0.45(O.M.%). Clay content of these soils was not significantly correlated with fluometuron equilibrium constants.

Barnyardgrass is one of the most problematic weeds in Arkansas, and with the documentation of herbicide-resistant biotypes, there is a need to gain a detailed understanding of its ecology. In particular, knowledge on barnyardgrass seedbank size and emergence pattern is vital. An extensive seedbank survey was carried out in 2008 in 12 counties in eastern Arkansas to determine barnyardgrass seedbank size across the region. There was a great variability in seedbank size with a maximum of 215,000 seeds m−2. Among the fields surveyed, barnyardgrass seedbank was found only in 7% of the cotton fields, while it was 22 and 20%, respectively, for rice and soybean. To examine the emergence pattern of barnyardgrass, experiments were conducted in Rohwer (two sites), Stuttgart (one site), and Fayetteville (one site), Arkansas in 2008 and 2009. In each site, barnyardgrass emergence was quantified from naturally occurring seedbanks. Barnyardgrass exhibited an extended period of emergence with days to 100% emergence ranging from 99 to 165 across sites and years. Nevertheless, effective management may be achieved by targeting the peak emergence periods, which range from mid-April to mid-June in Arkansas. The four-parameter Weibull model provided a better fit to the cumulative emergence data. However, the thermal time (growing degree days, GDDs) or hydrothermal time (HTT) models did not predict barnyardgrass emergence any better than calendar days, perhaps because of the inherent variations associated with natural seedbanks. This study establishes seedbank size and general emergence pattern for barnyardgrass in Arkansas. Additionally, these results will be useful for parameterizing herbicide-resistance simulation models for barnyardgrass.

Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 1987 and 1988 on several Arkansas soils to determine the effects of residual levels of imazaquin on cotton. Imazaquin concentrations ranging from 0.007 to 0.024 μg/g and 0.00 to 0.015 μg/g were found in soil samples taken 12 and 24 months, respectively, following preplant-incorporated applications at rates of 140 g/ha. Cotton yields were reduced from 7 to 42% in 1987 as the soil concentration of imazaquin increased from 0.007 to 0.024 μg/g. Imazaquin persistence was greater in clay soils than loams or sandy loams. Imazaquin was weakly adsorbed to a clay, loam, and sandy loam soil in laboratory studies; the adsorption isotherms did not differ significantly by soil texture. A bioassay utilizing cotton as the indicator species was developed to determine imazaquin concentrations in soils ranging from 0 to 0.06 μg/g. Imazaquin concentrations determined by the bioassay method were found to be 75, 77, and 80% of those determined by chemical extractions for a clay, loam, and sandy loam soil, respectively.

Seed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields were not reduced when competing with prickly sida (Sida spinosa L.) for 7 weeks or less after cotton emergence and maintained weed-free for the remainder of the season. Cotton yields were not affected when pure prickly sida stands were controlled for 5 to 6 weeks after cotton emergence and then allowed to grow uncontrolled for the remainder of the season. In the more severe weed competition treatments, cotton plant height and main stem diameter were reduced; however, yield of seed cotton was the most sensitive indicator of prickly sida competition. Maturity of cotton, as measured by percent of total yield obtained at first picking, indicated a delay in maturity in 1 of 3 yr in treatments where competing prickly sida was present for 8 weeks or more. In density studies, where prickly sida emerged with cotton and was allowed to compete for the full growing season, 45 prickly sida plants/15 m of row caused reductions in yield of seed cotton in two of five experiments. In another series of three experiments as few as 32 prickly sida plants/15 m of row significantly reduced seed cotton yields in two of the three experiments. Trash content of machine-harvested cotton was increased at densities of 64 and 128 prickly sida plants/15 m of row in one experiment. Staple length and grade of cotton were not affected by any weed density studied. Micronaire measurements of cotton were reduced at prickly sida densities of 64 and 128 weeds/15 m of row during 1972.

Experiments were conducted to establish low temperature thresholds for initiation of bud sprouting in dormant vegetative propagules of johnsongrass, purple nutsedge, and yellow nutsedge, and seed germination in cotton. Weed propagule sprouting and cotton seed germination responses to temperature were determined in a series of experiments conducted on a temperature gradient bar. Four calculated indices were used to quantify germination: mean percent germination per day, reciprocal median response time, and two versions of germination rate index. Data were analyzed as a series of regressions of germination indices against temperature. Maximum and minimum temperatures for germination were derived directly from the regressions and compared among species. Yellow nutsedge had the lowest temperature threshold (6 C), while the other species had low temperature thresholds of 11 to 12 C. Upper temperature thresholds were similar among species and ranged from 42 to 44 C. The lower low temperature threshold of yellow nutsedge sprouting compared to those for cotton, johnsongrass, and purple nutsedge suggests that early establishment by yellow nutsedge is an important factor in competitiveness in mixtures of these species. The results presented here suggest that application of principles derived from studies in seed biology might advance our understanding and ability to manage perennial weeds.

In laboratory experiments, we studied barnyardgrass, common lambsquarters, and redroot pigweed seed dormancy release by alternating temperatures under different soil water regimes, to determine whether that response serves as a mechanism for assuring seedling establishment. Alternating temperatures were important in breaking seed dormancy in the three weeds, but the species' response to alternating temperatures differed with soil water content. For redroot pigweed and newly dispersed seeds of barnyardgrass, dormancy breaking by alternating temperatures occurred only when soil water content was high enough for germination. Moreover, adverse incubation conditions (constant temperature and low water content) induced secondary dormancy in these seeds. Seventy percent of seeds incubated in open boxes emerged before the soil reached wilting point, when seeds were incubated at temperatures high enough for a high germination rate. A dormancy breaking mechanism that triggers a high rate of germination may be important in assuring success of seedling establishment where rainfall patterns result in wetting and drying cycles of the soil, especially in soil types that lose water rapidly from the surface layers.

Behavior of 14C-haloxyfop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-[(3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoate} was examined in intact plants of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Mead’], shattercane [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. ♯ SORVU], and yellow foxtail [Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. ♯ SETLU] and in cell cultures of soybean and yellow foxtail. Foliar absorption of 14C-haloxyfo-methyl by intact plants was almost complete within 48 h. Significant translocation occurred within 48 h of treatment, with soybean and shattercane plants translocating more 14C than yellow foxtail. Metabolism of 14C-haloxyfop-methyl in intact plants was similar among species. Haloxyfop-methyl was rapidly hydrolyzed to haloxyfop in treated leaves and then translocated to metabolically active areas within the plants. Significant quantities of polar products were also isolated. Soybean cells in suspension culture contained higher levels of 14C than did yellow foxtail cells. Most of the 14C in soybean cells was haloxyfop-methyl, while yellow foxtail contained mostly haloxyfop.

Four starch-encapsulated formulations of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) and of butylate (S-ethyl diisobutylthiocarbamate) were prepared and evaluated by comparison with their respective emulsifiable concentrate formulations for their slow-release capabilities and efficacies. Chemical and biological evaluation indicated that difference in controlled-release could be achieved by the selection of the starch xanthate and oxidant used in the formualtion process. EPTC and butylate released slower when formulated as starch-encapsulated granules than when formulated as emulsifiable concentrates under soil conditions that favored rapid release. The initial release was adequate for weed control and slow enough for desired residual activity. Repeated seeding and harvesting the treated soils and bioassays of treated soils generally produced release rate anticipated from short term dry and wet chemical tests.

Field-harvested johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) rhizomes were assayed for bud dormancy and growth potential under a number of experimental conditions. Natural dormancy was not detected in single-node rhizome pieces harvested at any time of the year. Shoot growth rates were highly variable. Kinetin, benzyl adenine, gibberellic acid, and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid were ineffective in enhancing germination or normalizing shoot growth. Scale leaves of rhizomes had no effect on bud growth. Rhizome buds were strongly influenced by apical dominance and emerged shoots partially suppressed germination of adjacent buds. The optimum temperature for bud germination and shoot growth was approximately 30 C. Bud germination was suppressed at 15 C. Johnsongrass rhizomes failed to exhibit cold hardiness at any time in their life cycle.

The influence of pH and incubation time on the detoxication of 11 herbicides incorporated into high organic matter soils was investigated. Five of the chemicals were detoxified at different rates at the various pH levels. Optimum pH levels for the detoxication of these chemicals were (a) pH 5.3 for 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), (b) 6.5 for 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (amitrole), and (c) pH 7.5 for S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate (vernolate).

Slow positive detoxication, without pH influence, was observed for 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) and 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (amiben). No detectable detoxication was observed for 4-amino-2,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), α,α,α-tri-fluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin), 5-bromo-3-isopropyl-6-methyluracil (isocil), or 2-methoxy-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (prometone).

A waterhemp population (McLean County resistant, MCR) from McLean County, Illinois is resistant to both mesotrione and atrazine by elevated rates of herbicide metabolism. Research was conducted to investigate the inheritance of these resistance traits. Resistant and sensitive plants were crossed to obtain reciprocal F1 populations, which were then used to create pseudo-F2 and backcross (to sensitive parent; BCS) populations. The various populations were evaluated with whole-plant herbicide efficacy studies in a greenhouse. The responses of the F1 populations to both mesotrione and atrazine were intermediate when compared with parental populations. In the case of atrazine, BCS and F2 populations segregated 1 : 1 and 1 : 3, respectively, for susceptibility (S) : resistance (R), at a dose that controlled the sensitive parent but not the F1 or resistant parent. For mesotrione, variability was observed within the F1 populations, suggesting that mesotrione resistance is multigenic and the resistant parents used in the cross were not homozygous at the resistance loci. Furthermore, at low mesotrione doses, more F2 plants survived than expected on the basis of a single-gene trait, whereas at high doses, fewer F2 plants survived than expected. Dry weight data confirmed the conclusions obtained from survival data. Specifically, atrazine responses segregated into two discrete classes (R and S) in both the F2 and BCS populations, whereas mesotrione responses showed continuous distributions of phenotypes in F2 and BCS populations. We conclude that metabolism-based atrazine resistance in MCR is conferred by a single major gene, whereas inheritance of mesotrione resistance in this population is complex.